Reflection for Sunday 24th March, 2024 - Palm Sunday

Jesus the Wounded Healer (Mark 15:1–39)

It is the time of year when Christians remember the death and resurrection of Jesus, the most important days in human history. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. You may have a crucifix at home, perhaps a small one on rosary beads. Maybe you can download the picture. The one you see nailed in pain is the wounded healer.

This year we read Mark’s story of the passion of Jesus. Mark wrote his gospel when Christians in Rome were suffering persecution. Some were asking where was God in this injustice and suffering. Mark’s answer is that Jesus subjected himself to dreadful injustice and the most brutal suffering.

He might have saved us in a painless way but his total love inspired him to enter into solidarity with all who suffer. As John’s Gospel puts it, “Having loved those who were his in the world, he loved them to the end.” He chose to be a seed dying in the earth to produce new life.

“No matter how you are suffering, I am there with you.” “No matter how you are suffering, I am there with you.”

No matter what you suffer, physically, emotionally and spiritually, Jesus was in there before you. Drama was the most popular form of writing in Rome at the time of Mark’s writing, and he was a master dramatist. More than the other evangelists, he spares nothing of the physical brutality Jesus suffered. His drama rises to the cry of inner dereliction, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” He gave a loud cry and breathed his last. It seems that all is lost. There is a dramatic pause in stunned silence. Then we are told that the veil in the Temple was torn from top to bottom. The Roman Centurion who had directed the execution, standing in front, having seen how he had died, said, “In truth this man was a Son of God.” It’s the first time in this Gospel that anybody has recognised exactly who Jesus is. This is Mark’s answer to those who were asking where is God in their experience of persecution. He is with us because he has entered into solidarity with all who suffer. Actions speak more loudly than words. By entering into suffering he is telling us,

“No matter how you are suffering, I am there with you.”

Think of all the ways he suffered. People who have suffered an injustice can remember how Jesus too was a victim of fake charges and an unjust trial. He was mocked and spat upon. People who have been betrayed in marriage will relate to the cold kiss of Judas on the cheek of Jesus. He must have been disappointed by the desertion of his close followers. He experienced family pain as he looked at his mother at the foot of the cross. As Simeon
prophesied many years previously, a sword of sorrow pierced her heart. Think of the physical suffering … crowned with thorns, scourged with whips, faltering under the cross, nailed through hands and feet. His breathing became more jerky. Every movement of his body stabbed a new pain. He even entered the darkness of spiritual dereliction: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.”

He has fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “By his wounds we are healed.” The wounded Lord is with us in these difficult days.
The Stations of the Cross remind us of people who accompanied Jesus. Simon of Cyrene may have been commandeered but he willingly shared the weight of the cross with Jesus. Veronica wiped his face clean of sweat, blood and spittle. A group of sympathetic women wept for him. The apostle John and some women supported Mary. We are called to imitate those helpers. “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers/sisters, that you do unto me.”

I may not have much to offer but think of the humble donkey carrying Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The little sacrifices I make for the wellbeing of others makes me a carrier like the donkey: not a carrier of virus, but a carrier of Jesus, the wounded healer.
“Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who leads us in our faith and brings it to perfection: for the sake of the joy which lay ahead of him, he endured the cross, disregarding the shame of it, and has taken his seat at the right of God’s throne” (Heb. 12:2).

Prayer of the Day

Lord Jesus Christ, by humbly accepting the sufferings of your Passion,
you have lovingly entered into solidarity with all who are suffering in any way.
As we look up at your cross may we recognise that you have not deserted us but you are with us in every valley of darkness.
As your painful death was the prelude to your resurrection may we go forward full of hope.